Frangible masonry unit



Nov. 28, 1967 w. A. cuRcj 3,354,592

United States Patent Office 3,354,592 Patented Nov. 28, T967 3,354,592 FRANGIBLE MASQNRY UNIT William A. Curci, 1829 Woodland Ave., Canton, Ohio 44709 Filed June 8, 1965, Ser. No. 462,344 4 Claims. (Cl. 5298) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A full Wall width through-the-Wall masonry building block generally U-shaped in cross section permitting the enclosure without block fracture of vertical reinforcement, conduits, pipes and other constructional members, and capable of fracture into half sections at least one of which has a side and tWo end surfaces simulating a conventional brick whereby only one type of block which may be an extruded shape is required for general purpose masonry construction. The block also may have special top and bottom surface formations preventing moisture from flowing from the outside to the inside surfaces of a Wall erected with the blocks.

This invention relates to a masonry unit to be used in most instances as a full width or through-the-wall unit in wall construction. More particularly, it pertains to a U-shaped masonry block which may be used wholly or partially as needed, and is particularly useful in contemporary bearing wall construction.

Full width or through-the-wall masonry wall units or bricks with various configurations have been used for specific purposes from time to time. A disadvantage of most such prior units has been that they have certain limitations for general purpose use in masonry construction. One problem involved with most prior units has been that they have required not only one basic unit but also one or more additional complementary units to provide a finished structure.

Associated with the foregoing has been the problem of obtaining general acceptance of units of a special shape other than the basic rectangular brick or concrete block having the ornamental appearance of conventional brick. The conventional shapes have been adhered to because of the economic difiiculties and inflexible adaptation of full wall width products composed of clay or cementitious material. Where, however, a single wall unit is used wholly or in part for any wall structure, many advantages are obtained.

It has been found that a single through-the-wall masonry unit may be provided and that it may be extruded or molded from concrete, clay, or other cementitious material in the same manner as brick or concrete block. Its unique shape permits the enclosure of vertical reinforcements, electrical conduits, pipes, and other constructional items Within the core of the unit without the necessity of cutting the unit or the item enclosed during installation. At the same time a running bond is maintained between the courses of units such as in a conventional brick wall.

Another advantage is a highly satisfactory throughbond without the use of metal ties or special bonding courses. Moreover, the units when combined in a wall provide excellent heat and noise insulation qualities because of a dead air space or cavity at the core of the unit.

In addition, although one basic shape is provided, its particular configuration is readily adapted to alteration, i.e. easy field cutting as required for a particular installation. The unit may be separated int-o half portions of conventional brick size by striking the unit with a sharp blow at a specific location to obtain a clean break through the unit.

It has been found that the difficulties of prior wall constructions may be overcome by providing a U-shaped wall unit which is usable either in its entirety or in smaller and separate brick portions, composed of frangible masonry material, and having a reduced neck portion through which the unit may be broken into separate brick portions as needed.

Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a masonry unit which avoids the difiiculties, disadvantages, and limitations of prior wall units and accomplishes in one unique unit many advantages and economics in construction over conventional units.

It is another object of this invention to provide a masonry unit which is composed of frangible masonry material which may be readily broken for use in smaller unit portions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a masonry unit having a particular configuration which is adapted to easy fracture of the unit into two half portions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a masonry unit having a configuration which is easily broken into two half portions and which maintains a basic ornamental appearance of single brick units.

It is another object of this invention to provide a masonry unit having groove means for preventing moisture from flowing from the outside to the inside surface of a wall.

It is another object of this invention to provide a masonry unit which will accomplish many of the desirable features of a standard cavity wall construction such as insulation, incorporation of constructional items, finished appearance on both sides, minimal moisture penetration, and other advantages as herein explained, in one full width unit.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide a masonry unit which accomplishes the foregoing desiderata in an inexpensive manner.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims may be obtained, the stated results achieved and described diificulties overcome by the discoveries, principles, apparatus, parts, combinations, subcombinations and elements which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following statement, preferred embodiments of which-illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated ap plying the principles-is set forth in the following description, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved masonry wall unit of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including a U-shaped member having two half portions and one transverse neck portion extending therebetween, the half portions and neck portion forming a deep groove extending from one end surface and forming a relatively shallow groove extending from the other end surface, the grooves being aligned on an axis substantially centrally spaced between the outer side surfaces of the unit, and the inner end of each groove having converging walls forming tapered notches on opposite sides of the neck portion which notches are aligned on the groove axis.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof in which embodiments are shown by way of example:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the manner in which courses of masonry wall units are placed in position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of another form of the unit taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. is a bottom plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of another form of the unit; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the unit taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6.

Similar-numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

For clarity, no mortar is shown in the joints between the units'shown in FIG. 1. 4

A masonry wall is generally indicated at 1 in FIG. 1. It includes a plurality of masonry units, blocks or bricks'2 which are preferably composed of clay, concrete, or other cementitious material. Each unit2 may have outer dimensions to simulate individual bricks as used in a brick wall.

Each unit 2 has a body generally U-shaped in horizontal section or configuration composed of substantially two half units or portions 3 and 4 as well as an interme' diate or necked portion 5 (FIG. 2) extending transversely between the portions 3 and 4. The unit 2 is an overall square or rectangular member having top and bottom surfaces and opposite side surfaces 6 and 7. The half por* tion 3 includes opposite end surface portions 8 and 9 and the half portion 4 includes opposite end surface portions 10 and 11. A deep groove or recess 12 defines the U-shape and extends inwardly from the end surfaces 8 and 10 toward end surfaces 9 and 11 beyond a centerline 36 of the unit. The recess 12 has anou'ter open end and an inner end, and the open end of recess 12 divides the right end surface (viewing FIG. 2) into spaced apart first and second end portions 8 and 10. A shallow groove 13 extends inwardly from the end surfaces 9 and 11 toward the groove or recess 12. The grooves 12 and 13 are aligned on an axis 14 which iscent'rally spaced between and parallel with the outer side surfaces 6 and 7. The shallow groove 13 divides the left end surface (viewing FIG. 2) into spaced apart third and fourth end portions 9 and 11 which respectively are opposite the first and second end portions 8 and 10. As shown, the width of the recess 12 between theopposed parallel surfaces 15'and 16 is greater than the width of the shallow groove The deep groove 12 is bounded by opposed parallel surfaces 15 and 16 as well as a pair of inclined surfaces 17 and 18 which taper inwardly from surfaces 15 and 16 toward each other and toward the end portions 9 and 11 to form a V-notch having an apex 19. The opposed parallel surfaces 15 and 16 are located as shown on either side of the axis 14 and are parallel with each other and with the axis 14. Likewise, the shallow groove 13 is bounded by opposed parallel surfaces 20 and 21 as .well as inclined surfaces 22 and 23 which taper inwardly to form a V-notch having an apex 24. The apices 19 and 24 are located on the axis 14 which extends through the center of the necked portion 5. The purpose of the incliried surfaces 17, 18, 22, and 23 forming the'respective apices 19 and 24 is to provide a minimum body between the half portions 3' and 4, whereby the half portions may be separated on the axis 14 by a sharp blow. Any fracture extending across the necked portion 5 will extend between the apices 19 and 24. Thus, the breaking plane is controlled and two units of similar appearance are provided for use at corners.

As shown in FIG. 1 the units 2 may be assembled in such a way that the outerend' of the groove 12 is placed in an unexposed position abutting the end of an adjacent unit. The resulting wall has'the appearance of a wall of double brick thickness. The outer open end of the groove 12 facilitates the placement of the units 2 in place where elongated members 25 such as reinforcing rods, pipes, or conduits are disposed within the wall. The outer open end 3. Thus, the flange 26 provides a reduced opening for the open end of the recess 12 between the spaced first and second end portions 8 and10 which collectively form one end surface of the block 2. T'ne half portion 4 is cut away to provide a beveled edge 27 which enlarges the mouth of the groove 12 adjacent the flange 26 to permit the placement of units 2 around a member 25. By providing the flange 26, the end surface 8 has a width equal to that of the end surface 9 which is preferably equal to 3%. Accordingly, the half unit 3 is used between courses of complete units 2 at the end of the wall as shown in FIG. 1 where opposite end surfaces 8 and 9 are exposed; and the side surface and end portions 8 and 9 of the half block portion 3 simulate the side and two ends of a conventional brick as shown in FIG. 1.

The half portion 4, having an end surface 10 which is shorter than the end surface 11, may be.used at a corner of the wall (FIG. 1) with the end surface 10 unexposed. The preferred over-all dimensions of the unit 2 is 7% along the side surface 6 and 7, and 3 /8" along the end surfaces 8, 9, and 11, which dimensions correspond to the dimensions of aconventional brick. The preferred width of groove 13 is /s" so that the total width of the unit equals the length of 7 /s. k i

When the units are assembled toform a wall, as shown in FIG. 1,.mortar is placed betweenthe unitsaThe shallow grooves 13 have a width (between thesurfaces 20 and 2 1) comparable to the spacing existing between conventionalbricks when placedtogether. When theshallow grooves 13 are exposed, sufficient mortar is placed in the grooves to cover the V-notch formed by the inclined surfaces 22 and 23 to convey the appearance of a mortared joint. I

When the half unit 3 is used, as shown in FIG. 1, the flange 26 covers the groove 12 withmortarplaced between the end of the flange and the nex-taadjacent unit 2. Another form 28 of the unit is shown in FIG. 3. It is similar to the unit 2 except that no beveled edge, similar. to the edge 27 (FIG. 2), is provided. Such an edge is unnecessary where a groove29 having a width greater than.

that of groove 12 is provided. The'groove 29 having'groove walls 30 and 31 is wider than'the groove 15 so that the spacing between a flange 32 and the wall 31 permits placement of a unit around a rod 25 as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3 the unit 28 has a shallow groove 33 aligned with the deep groove 29. The groove 33 is bounded by opposing surfaces 34 and 35 as well as by upwardly inclined end walls 36 and 37, all of which extend vertically betweenthe top andbottom surfaces of the unit. In addition the groove 33 includes a notch 38 which is preferably centrally disposed with respect to the axis of the groove 33 andbou'nded by oppositely disposed side walls 39 and 40," and an end wall 41.

The end of the deep groove 29 is bounded by upwardly inclined end walls 42 and 43 and is provided with a notch 44 which is bounded by opposing side walls 45 and 46, and an end wall 47. The notches 38 and 44 are preferably of similar dimension and are preferably ,4 wide between the side walls 37 and 38, and 45 and 46.

In addition to the grooves 29 and 33 and the notches 38 and 44, the unit 28 is provided with V-shaped channel-s or grooves 48 and 49 (FIG. 4), which extend across the neckportion between the grooves 29 and 33. Thus, the groove '48 includes. downwardly and inwardly inclined walls 50 and 51 which forman apex 52 in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the unit 28. Like wise,'the groove 49 is formedby inwardly incline d walls 53 and 54 which form an apex 55 which is off-center of the plane passing through the axis of the unit 28. Thus, the wall 53 has a smaller angle of inclination than that of the wall 54 to the bottom surface of the unit.

Another form of the bottom groove is generally indicated at 56 in FIGS. 6 and 7. The groove 56 is a generally M-shaped member having opposite side walls 57 and 58 as well as downwardly and inwardly inclined walls 59 and 60. The walls 59 and 60 intersect at an apex 61 which is preferably aligned with the bottom surface of the unit. The apex 61 is also preferably disposed in a vertical plane below the apex 52 of the top groove 48. Any water draining from the upper surface to the lower surface of the unit through the grooves 29 and 33 or the notches 38 and 44 flows to the edge of the apex 61 from which it ultimately drips to a lower brick or unit. Thus, water entering from an outside surface is prevented by the grooves 48 and 56 from crossing the entire unit to the inner wall surface. Similarly, any water draining from the upper surface of the brick unit of FIGS. 4 and to the bottom surface through grooves 38 and 44 flows to the bottom groove 49 and .along the small angle inclined surface 53 of the groove 49 by surface tension to the bottom surface of the unit and thence to the inside surface of the outside wythe.

The masonry unit of the present invention includes a face key, notch, or groove which solves problems inherent in prior masonry wall units by providing for easy breaking of a unit into two half portions, providing a finished corner appearance at the edge or end of a brick wall, and provides for aesthetic or decorative use where the key notch is exposed and results in a conventional staggered appearance.

An important feature of the units 2 and 28 is their unique shape which permits the incorporation of vertical reinforcement, electrical conduit, pipes, or other items within the core of the unit without field cutting. At the same time, a running bond is maintained between the courses. Other features of the unit include an excellent through bond without the use of metal ties or special bonding courses, heat and noise insulation space at the center, the easy adaptability of the unit; and the provision of one basic unit which satisfies substantially any detail condition without the necessity of providing special shapes as is presently common in masonry construction. Moreover, the unit is well adapted as a door and window jamb unit. By stacking it vertically in a soldier course over window, door, or other openings, it will fit neatly over the upstanding legs of a double angle lintel. In summary, this masonry unit performs a new function because a complete wall of units is laid up in an entirely different manner and, as a whole, possesses different structural features from the conventional masonry units.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended elairns.

What is claimed is:

1. A full wall width masonry block adapted to enclose vertical reinforcements, electrical conduits, pipes and constructional members without cutting the block during installation and adapted to be separated by a sharp blow into half portions of conventional brick size; the block comprising a masonry body generally U-shaped in horizontal section having top and bottom surfaces and rectangularly arranged opposite side and end surfaces; the U-shape being defined by a recess, having an open end and an inner end, formed in the body extending from one end surface toward the other end surface along an axis midway between and parallel with the block side surfaces; the open end of the recess dividing said one end surface into first and second end portions spaced apart by said open recess end; the recess having opposed surfaces located on either side of said axis and parallel with each other and with said axis; the body having a flange extending between the top and bottom body surfaces and defining part of said first end portion, thereby providing a reduced opening for the open recess end between said spaced first and second end portions; the inner end of said recess having surface portions tapering from said opposed parallel surfaces toward each other and toward the other end surface; there being a shallow groove formed inward in the body from said other end surface extending between the top and bottom body surfaces along said axis and toward said recess; said shallow groove dividing said other end surface into third and fourth end portions respectively opposite said first and second end portions; said first end portion defined in part by said flange having a width equal to that of the third end portion; and the recess having a width between said opposed parallel surfaces greater than the width of the shallow groove; whereby when the body is severed into half portions by fracture between the top and bottom surfaces and between the groove and recess, one of the half portions is defined by a side surface and said first and third end portions simulating the side and two ends of a conventional brick.

2. Block constructon as defined in claim 1 in which the body is formed with a beveled edge at the open end of the recess opposite the flange and extending between one of the parallel recess surfaces and said second end portion.

3. Block construction as defined in claim 1 in which a first channel is formed in the top surface and the second channel is formed in the bottom surface of the block, and each channel extends between the recess and shallow groove, and in which the surfaces of said channels are inclined inwardly toward each other along said axis from the respective top and bottom surfaces.

4. Block construction as defined in claim 3 in which the inner end of the recess formed by the tapering surface portions form an apex aligned with the shallow groove, and in which the walls of at least one of the channels form an apex, and in which the channel apex is offset from the apex of the recess.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,385,299 7/1921 Bilque 52-98 1,872,522 8/1932 Smokey 52-98 X 1,968,393 7/ 1934 Henderson 52-98 2,560,731 7/1951 Millet 52-98 X FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

VERMUT, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A FULL WALL WIDTH MASONRY BLOCK ADAPTED TO ENCLOSE VERTICAL REINFORCEMENTS, ELECTRICAL CONDUITS, PIPES AND CONSTRUCTIONAL MEMBERS WITHOUT CUTTING THE BLOCK DURING INSTALLATION AND ADAPTED TO BE SEPARATED BY A SHARP BLOW INTO HALF PORTIONS OF CONVENTIONAL BRICK SIZE; THE BLOCK COMPRISING A MASONRY BODY GENERALLY U-SHAPED IN HORIZONTAL SECTION HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM SURFACES AND RECTANGULARLY ARRANGED OPPOSITE SIDES AND END SURFACES; THE U-SHAPE BEING DEFINED BY A RECESS, HAVING AN OPEN END AND AN INNER END, FORMED IN THE BODY EXTENDING FROM ONE END SURFACE TOWARD THE OTHER END SURFACE ALONG AN AXIS MIDWAY BETWEEN SAID PARALLEL WITH THE BLOCK SAID SURFACES; THE OPEN END OF THE RECESS DIVIDING SAID ONE END SURFACE INTO FIRST AND SECOND END PORTIONS SPACED APART BY SAID OPEN RECESS END; THE RECESS HAVING OPPOSED SURFACES LOCATED ON EITHER SIDE OF SAID AXIS AND PARALLEL WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH SAID AXIS; THE BODY HAVING A FLANGE EXTENDING BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM BODY SURFACES AND DEFINING PART OF SAID FIRST END PORTION, THEREBY PROVIDING A REDUCED OPENING FOR THE OPEN RECESS END BETWEEN SAID SPACED FIRST AND SECOND END PORTIONS; THE INNER END OF SAID RECESS HAVING SURFACE PORTIONS TAPERING FROM SAID OPPOSED PARALLEL SURFACES TOWARD EACH OTHER AND TOWARD THE OTHER END SURFACE; THERE BEING A SHALLOW GROOVE FORMED INWARD IN THE BODY FROM SAID OTHER END SURFACE EXTENDING BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM BODY SURFACES ALONG SAID AXIS AND TOWARD SAID RECESS; SAID SHALLLOW GROOVE DIVIDING SAID OTHER END SURFACE INTO THIRD AND FOURTH END PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY OPPOSITE DEFINED IN PART BY SAID FLANGE HAVING A FIRST END PORTION DEFINED IN PART BY SAID FLANGE HAVING A WIDTH EQUAL TO THAT OF THE THIRD END PORTION; AND THE RECESS HAVING A WIDTH BETWEEN SAID OPPOSED PARALLEL SURFACES GREATER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE SHALLOW GROOVE; WHEREBY WHEN THE BODY IS SEVERED INTO HALF PORTIONS BY FRACTURE BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM SURFACES AND BETWEEN THE GROOVE AND RECESS, ONE OF THE HALF PORTIONS IS DEFINED BY A SIDE SURFACE AND SAID FIRST AND THIRD END PORTIONS SIMULATING THE SIDE AND TWO ENDS OF A CONVENTIONAL BRICK. 